Why did we bailout the Airlines again?

[JLovesUSo]

While trying to get a ticket to go home for Christmas for the last 3 days - I have noticed something - it appears that the Airlines have not just done their usual "double the airfares during Christmas" but have rather TRIPLED (at least from Houston to the west coast) the airfares during this holiday season. I can't find anything under $550 to get to the west coast - and I'm not even doing the leave on the 24th and return on the 26th thing.

Has anyone else noticed this or is it just a "from Texas" thing?

I don't think I would be as angry as I currently am if I wasn't thinking about how they came whining for a $100,000,000,000 Government (or Joe Taxpayer) Bailout this year and then, now to take advantage of the season to try to recoup some profits.  If they hadn't asked for the bailout, well - ok - maybe but, since they did, I think this is really cheesy (for lack of a better word) of them to re-gouge us for some more money.

Sorry to vent - just was wondering if this is going on elsewhere this season?......

 

[fin]

Isn't the bailout a loan?

 

[Starscream]

Originally posted by JLovesUSo
While trying to get a ticket to go home for Christmas for the last 3 days ...

I think that's your problem right there, I always purchase my x-max tickets very far in advance.

 

[Angel75]

I havent been a travel agent for years but....200 - 300 is as cheap as you could get back a few years ago, barring a super special...and it is December and you are trying to get christmas flights...i thinks the 550 is pretty good!

 

[seebs]

Well, it's either higher ticket prices, or another bailout next year...

 

[JLovesUSo]

Originally posted by fin
Isn't the bailout a loan?

You know I was curious about that myself and Doh! - Sorry, I'm not sure where I got the $100 Billion # from  

It turns out $5 Billion was in direct compensation and $10 Billion in loan guarantees:

Airline lobbyists' dreams came true last fall when Congress hastily passed the $15 billion airline bailout bill authorizing $5 billion in direct compensation and another $10 billion in loan guarantees. Sadly, this legislation provides billions to a small number of large airlines that were bleeding red ink long before Sept. 11th.

http://www.taxpayer.net/TCS/wastebasket/budget/06-07-02airlinebailout.htm 

 

[kern]

Originally posted by JLovesUSo

Has anyone else noticed this or is it just a "from Texas" thing?

Try adjusting your dates. I was looking for a round-trip ticket from Texas to Chicago leave 21st, come back 29th. I could not find anything under $500. I switched the leave date to the 22nd and got a no-connections flight for $300.

-Chris

 

[Dewjunkie]

J, I am flying from Phoenix to Houston on Dec. 18 and returning on the 1st of Jan. and I paid $193 round trip on America West. I priced tickets for the week of Christmas and found them in the $250-$350 round trip range. This was a week and a half ago. Where have you been looking?